Hoping for a strong bounce-back season in 2016, New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will have to battle through an elbow injury.
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Concern Surrounding Gardner Despite Negative X-Ray
Wednesday, May 4
According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Gardner was hit by a pitch on his elbow during New York's 7-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Ryan Hatch of NJ Advance Media confirmed that X-rays were negative but said manager Joe Girardi was "concerned."
Gardner was inconsistent in 2015, posting a .259/.343/.399 slash line.
He was particularly inept after the All-Star break, hitting a paltry .206/.300/.292 in 69 games, yet he still played in 151 games total and helped lead the Yankees to a wild-card berth.
There were injury concerns for Gardner in spring training. He suffered an injury to his wrist late in 2015 that lingered to the point where he was limited to hitting off a tee and at soft tosses when the Yankees opened camp in February, per the Associated Press' Mark Didtler.
Despite those issues, Gardner was able to start the season with the Yankees. He looked more like his usual self, hitting for average, getting on base and picking spots to steal bases.
The 32-year-old is a key piece of New York's lineup, able to set the table for the middle-of-the-order hitters with his speed and on-base ability. He's also added some thump to his bat, hitting a combined 33 homers over the last two seasons.
The Yankees do have depth in the outfield with Aaron Hicks and Dustin Ackley on the bench, as well as Aaron Judge waiting in the minors, but Jacoby Ellsbury is so unreliable at this point in his career that they can't afford to be without Gardner for an extended period of time.
This is an old New York roster, with 26-year-old Starlin Castro being the only everyday starter under 30, so its depth will be tested this season as those players get injured and need additional rest.
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